BCCW - Ultimate Guide to the Best Cryptocurrency Wallets

Do I Need a Cryptocurrency Wallet? Understanding the Importance

Alex CryptoGuard December 30, 2023

As the world of cryptocurrencies continues to captivate individuals and investors, one fundamental question arises: Do I need a cryptocurrency wallet? In this article, we’ll explore the significance of cryptocurrency wallets and help you make an informed decision about whether you should have one.

Understanding Cryptocurrency Wallets:

A cryptocurrency wallet is a digital tool that allows you to store, send, and receive cryptocurrencies. Contrary to the traditional notion of a wallet, which holds physical cash and cards, a cryptocurrency wallet stores your private and public keys – the cryptographic elements that enable you to access and manage your digital assets on the blockchain.

The Importance of Cryptocurrency Wallets:

Security: Cryptocurrency wallets are essential for ensuring the security of your digital assets. When you purchase or receive cryptocurrencies, they are stored on the blockchain. However, your access to those funds is determined by your private key. A wallet securely stores this key, protecting your funds from potential online threats, hacking attempts, and unauthorized access.
Control: Owning a cryptocurrency wallet gives you complete control over your funds. If you keep your cryptocurrencies on an exchange or a third-party platform, you are essentially entrusting them with the security of your assets. With a personal wallet, you retain sole ownership of your private keys, enabling you to make transactions and manage your funds independently.
Diverse Usage: Cryptocurrency wallets enable you to engage in a variety of activities, from making transactions and receiving payments to participating in Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and accessing decentralized applications (DApps). Having a wallet empowers you to participate fully in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Privacy: Some cryptocurrency wallets offer enhanced privacy features that allow you to transact with increased anonymity. This can be particularly important for users who prioritize privacy and want to keep their financial activities confidential.

Types of Cryptocurrency Wallets:

There are several types of cryptocurrency wallets to choose from, each catering to different security and accessibility preferences:

Software Wallets: These are digital applications that run on your computer, smartphone, or browser. They offer convenience and accessibility, with options like desktop wallets, mobile wallets, and web wallets. However, they can be vulnerable to online threats if not properly secured.
Hardware Wallets: Hardware wallets are physical devices that store your private keys offline. They provide the highest level of security since they are immune to online hacking attempts. Hardware wallets are ideal for individuals looking to secure substantial amounts of cryptocurrencies.
Paper Wallets: Paper wallets involve printing your private and public keys on a piece of paper. They are entirely offline, providing a secure way to store your keys. However, they require careful handling and protection from physical damage.
Custodial Wallets: Custodial wallets are provided by third-party services, such as exchanges. While they offer convenience, they compromise some aspects of control and security since the service provider holds your private keys.

Conclusion:

In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrencies, owning a cryptocurrency wallet is not just beneficial but crucial for safeguarding your assets, maintaining control, and enabling active participation in the digital economy. The choice of wallet type depends on factors such as security requirements, usage patterns, and technical comfort. By opting for a cryptocurrency wallet, you take a proactive step towards secure and independent management of your digital finances.

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Exploring the Significance of Cold Wallets for Cryptocurrency Storage

Alex CryptoGuard November 24, 2023

In the realm of cryptocurrency, security is paramount. As the digital world expands and more individuals and institutions invest in cryptocurrencies, the need for secure storage solutions becomes increasingly crucial. One of the most reliable methods for safeguarding digital assets is through the use of cold wallets. In this article, we will delve into the concept of cold wallets for cryptocurrency, their significance, and how they contribute to enhanced security.

Understanding Cold Wallets:

A cold wallet, also known as a cold storage wallet, is a type of cryptocurrency wallet that is kept offline, disconnected from the internet. Unlike hot wallets, which are connected to the internet and facilitate frequent transactions, cold wallets are intentionally isolated from online networks. This isolation makes cold wallets highly resistant to online hacking attempts, phishing attacks, and malware that often target internet-connected devices.

The Significance of Cold Wallets:

Enhanced Security: The primary advantage of cold wallets lies in their unparalleled security. Since they are not connected to the internet, they are immune to most online threats, including hacking attempts and malware infections. This isolation significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your private keys and funds.
Protection Against Online Attacks: Hackers frequently target online platforms, exchanges, and hot wallets. Cold wallets provide a secure alternative by keeping your private keys entirely offline, eliminating vulnerabilities associated with internet-based attacks.
Safekeeping of Large Holdings: For individuals or entities holding significant amounts of cryptocurrency, cold wallets offer a secure means of storing these assets. High-profile individuals, corporations, and institutional investors often opt for cold wallets to ensure the safety of their substantial holdings.
Long-Term Storage: Cold wallets are particularly suitable for long-term storage of cryptocurrencies. They provide a way to “hodl” (hold) your assets without constant exposure to potential online threats, ensuring that your investments remain intact over time.
Protection Against Device Failures: Hardware failures, computer crashes, and device malfunctions are risks associated with digital storage. By keeping your cryptocurrency offline in a cold wallet, you mitigate the impact of such failures on your holdings.

Types of Cold Wallets:

Hardware Wallets: Hardware wallets are physical devices designed solely for storing cryptocurrencies offline. They come with built-in security features, such as PIN protection and recovery phrases. Popular hardware wallet brands include Ledger and TREZOR.
Paper Wallets: Paper wallets involve generating your cryptocurrency’s public and private keys and printing them on a physical piece of paper. This offline method provides a high level of security, but it requires careful storage to prevent damage or loss.
Air-Gapped Computers: An air-gapped computer is a device that has never been connected to the internet. It’s used exclusively to generate and store cryptocurrency keys offline. While highly secure, this approach requires technical expertise to set up and maintain.

How to Use Cold Wallets:

Generate Keys Offline: When creating a cold wallet, ensure that you generate the private and public keys in an offline environment. This prevents any possibility of the keys being intercepted by online attackers.
Backup and Safe Storage: Once the keys are generated, make multiple physical copies and store them in secure locations, such as safes or vaults. This ensures that you can recover your funds even if the original wallet is lost or damaged.
Regular Maintenance: While cold wallets are highly secure, it’s essential to periodically update and maintain the wallet’s software and backup copies to account for any changes or improvements.

In conclusion, cold wallets play a pivotal role in the world of cryptocurrency security. They provide an impregnable fortress for your digital assets by keeping them offline, away from the reach of online threats. Whether through hardware wallets, paper wallets, or air-gapped computers, cold wallets offer a level of protection that is essential for individuals and entities looking to secure their investments for the long term.

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Exploring the Various Types of Cryptocurrency Wallets

Alex CryptoGuard October 27, 2023

In the world of cryptocurrencies, owning and managing a secure wallet is essential for safeguarding your digital assets. Cryptocurrency wallets come in a variety of types, each with its own features, security levels, and use cases. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the different types of cryptocurrency wallets, their functionalities, and the pros and cons of each.

1. Software Wallets:

Software wallets are digital applications that allow users to store, send, and receive cryptocurrencies on various devices. They are further categorized into:

Desktop Wallets: These are applications installed on your computer. They provide a higher level of security compared to online wallets but require you to use the same computer for all transactions.
Mobile Wallets: Designed for smartphones and tablets, mobile wallets offer convenience and accessibility on the go. They are ideal for users who frequently transact using cryptocurrencies.
Online Wallets (Web Wallets): Web wallets are hosted on the cloud and can be accessed through web browsers. They are user-friendly but generally considered less secure due to potential vulnerabilities in the hosting platform.

2. Hardware Wallets:

Hardware wallets are physical devices that store your cryptocurrency offline, offering the highest level of security. They are protected from online threats and are immune to viruses or malware attacks. Notable examples include Ledger Nano S, Ledger Nano X, and TREZOR. Hardware wallets are divided into two categories:

USB-Connected Hardware Wallets: These are devices that connect to your computer or mobile device via USB. They offer a secure way to manage your cryptocurrencies while keeping your private keys offline.
Bluetooth-Connected Hardware Wallets: These advanced hardware wallets use Bluetooth to connect to your devices, providing a wireless option without compromising security.

3. Paper Wallets:

Paper wallets involve generating and printing out your cryptocurrency’s private and public keys on a physical piece of paper. This type of wallet is entirely offline, making it highly secure. However, it requires careful storage and protection from physical damage, loss, or theft.

4. Brain Wallets:

A brain wallet is a type of software wallet that generates your private key based on a passphrase chosen by you. It’s essential to choose a strong passphrase to prevent brute-force attacks. While convenient, brain wallets can also be risky if the passphrase is weak or easily guessable.

5. Custodial Wallets:

Custodial wallets are provided by third-party services, such as cryptocurrency exchanges. In this case, the service provider holds your private keys, giving you access to your funds through their platform. While convenient, custodial wallets compromise some aspects of security and control, as you are dependent on the service’s security measures.

6. Multisignature Wallets:

Multisignature wallets, also known as multisig wallets, require multiple private keys to authorize transactions. This adds an extra layer of security, as a single compromised key isn’t sufficient to access the funds. They are often used by organizations and businesses that require multiple approvals for transactions.

7. Deterministic Wallets:

Deterministic wallets generate a series of public and private key pairs from a single seed phrase. This makes backup and recovery easier, as you only need to back up the seed phrase to restore your wallet on any compatible platform.

8. Mobile Wallet Apps with Integrated Exchanges:

Some mobile wallet applications integrate cryptocurrency exchanges, allowing you to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies directly within the wallet. This convenience can save time and effort for users who frequently engage in trading activities.

In conclusion, the type of cryptocurrency wallet you choose depends on your security requirements, convenience, and usage patterns. Hardware wallets offer the highest level of security, while software wallets provide various levels of accessibility. Paper wallets, brain wallets, custodial wallets, multisignature wallets, and deterministic wallets each have their unique features and benefits. Whichever wallet type you select, remember to prioritize security, backup your keys, and stay informed about the latest developments in the cryptocurrency space.

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A Comprehensive Guide on How to Choose a Cryptocurrency Wallet

Alex CryptoGuard September 30, 2023

As the popularity of cryptocurrencies continues to grow, the need for secure storage solutions becomes increasingly important. A cryptocurrency wallet is a digital tool that allows you to store, receive, and send cryptocurrencies while maintaining control over your private keys. With a plethora of options available, choosing the right cryptocurrency wallet can be a daunting task. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the factors to consider when selecting a cryptocurrency wallet that aligns with your security needs and usage preferences.

1. Understand the Types of Wallets:

Before delving into the selection process, it’s crucial to understand the different types of cryptocurrency wallets available:

Hardware Wallets: These are physical devices that store your private keys offline, providing enhanced security. Examples include Ledger and TREZOR.
Software Wallets: These are applications or software programs that can be installed on your computer, smartphone, or tablet. They can be further categorized into desktop, mobile, and online wallets.
Paper Wallets: These involve printing your private keys on paper and storing them in a secure place offline.
Web Wallets: Also known as online wallets, these wallets are accessible through web browsers and are often provided by cryptocurrency exchanges.

2. Security Considerations:

Security is paramount when it comes to cryptocurrency wallets. Here are key security factors to consider:

Private Key Ownership: Ensure that you have complete ownership of your private keys. Wallets that offer full control over your keys provide enhanced security against potential hacks or breaches.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Look for wallets that offer 2FA as an additional layer of security. This can prevent unauthorized access even if someone gains access to your password.
Encryption: Wallets should use robust encryption methods to protect your data and transactions.
Open Source: Consider wallets that are open-source, as they undergo public scrutiny and are more likely to have security vulnerabilities quickly identified and addressed.

3. Supported Cryptocurrencies:

Different wallets support different cryptocurrencies. Ensure that the wallet you choose supports the specific cryptocurrencies you plan to store or use.

4. User-Friendliness:

The user interface and overall usability of a wallet can greatly impact your experience. Consider the following:

Ease of Use: Choose a wallet with an intuitive interface that suits your technical expertise.
Backup and Recovery: Check if the wallet provides a straightforward process for creating backups and recovering your wallet in case of loss.
Transaction Features: Look for wallets that offer easy navigation for sending and receiving transactions.

5. Compatibility:

Consider the devices and platforms you intend to use for accessing your wallet:

Desktop, Mobile, or Both: Decide whether you prefer a wallet for desktop, mobile, or both platforms.
Operating System: Check if the wallet is compatible with your device’s operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, etc.).

6. Reputation and Reviews:

Research the reputation of the wallet and the company behind it. Look for user reviews, community feedback, and ratings on trustworthy platforms.

7. Development and Updates:

Active development and regular updates are indicators of a wallet’s commitment to security and functionality. Check when the wallet was last updated and whether it has a history of prompt responses to security issues.

8. Backup and Recovery:

Losing access to your wallet can mean losing your cryptocurrencies. A robust backup and recovery mechanism is essential. Choose a wallet that provides clear instructions for creating backups and recovering your wallet using the backup.

9. Customer Support:

In case you encounter issues or have questions, reliable customer support can be invaluable. Research the wallet’s available support channels and responsiveness.

10. Fees:

Some wallets may charge fees for transactions or services. Be aware of any associated fees and ensure they align with your usage patterns.

11. Longevity:

Choose wallets that have a track record of longevity and a strong community presence. This can reduce the risk of the wallet being abandoned or becoming obsolete.

12. Additional Features:

Some wallets offer additional features like integration with decentralized applications (DApps) or the ability to exchange cryptocurrencies directly within the wallet. Consider these features if they align with your needs.

In conclusion, choosing a cryptocurrency wallet is a critical decision that requires careful consideration of security, usability, compatibility, and other factors. By understanding the types of wallets available and evaluating them based on the criteria outlined in this guide, you can confidently select a wallet that meets your needs and keeps your digital assets safe. Remember that your choice of wallet should align with your comfort level, technical expertise, and future plans in the world of cryptocurrencies.

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A Comprehensive Comparison of TREZOR and Ledger Wallets

Alex CryptoGuard August 25, 2023

In the rapidly expanding realm of cryptocurrency, security is paramount. The storage of digital assets demands vigilance and advanced solutions, which is where hardware wallets come into play. Two of the most prominent names in this space are TREZOR and Ledger, both offering secure storage solutions for various cryptocurrencies. In this article, we will delve into a comprehensive comparison of TREZOR and Ledger wallets, highlighting their features, security measures, user-friendliness, and more.

1. Design and Build Quality: TREZOR boasts a minimalist design with a small OLED screen and two buttons for navigation. The device is sleek, compact, and easy to handle. On the other hand, Ledger offers a range of wallets including the Ledger Nano S and Nano X. These devices are also compact and come with a screen, offering a more diverse design selection. Both brands prioritize robust build quality, ensuring durability and longevity.

2. Supported Cryptocurrencies: Both TREZOR and Ledger support a wide array of cryptocurrencies, including major players like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple, as well as numerous altcoins. The list of supported coins may vary between the two brands, so users should verify compatibility with their specific holdings before making a decision.

3. Security Features: Security is the backbone of hardware wallets. TREZOR and Ledger implement various features to ensure the safety of your assets. TREZOR employs a unique recovery seed setup during initialization, making it immune to computer-based attacks. Ledger, on the other hand, utilizes a similar approach with a recovery phrase. Both devices also offer PIN protection and require physical confirmation for transactions, providing an extra layer of security.

4. User Interface and Experience: TREZOR’s user interface is straightforward and easy to navigate, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users. The OLED screen displays transaction details, adding an extra layer of verification. Ledger devices offer a slightly more diverse experience due to their larger screen, but their interface remains intuitive. Both brands prioritize user-friendliness, ensuring that users can manage their assets without extensive technical knowledge.

5. Connectivity: TREZOR and Ledger wallets can be connected to a computer or mobile device via USB or Bluetooth, depending on the model. This flexibility allows users to choose the connection method that suits their preferences and security considerations.

6. Firmware and Software: Regular firmware updates are crucial to address potential vulnerabilities and improve performance. Both TREZOR and Ledger offer regular updates, with their respective software interfaces enabling seamless management of these updates. This commitment to maintenance ensures that the wallets remain secure and up-to-date.

7. Price Point: The price of hardware wallets is an important consideration for many users. While both TREZOR and Ledger offer different models at varying price points, Ledger often provides more affordable options like the Ledger Nano S. TREZOR’s models might be slightly more expensive but come with the reputation of being one of the pioneering hardware wallet brands.

8. Community and Support: Both TREZOR and Ledger have active communities and customer support teams. Users can find assistance through forums, official documentation, and customer support channels in case they encounter any issues or have questions about using the wallets.

In conclusion, both TREZOR and Ledger offer reliable and secure hardware wallet solutions for cryptocurrency holders. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preferences, including design, user interface, and supported cryptocurrencies. Regardless of the choice, using a hardware wallet like TREZOR or Ledger is a significant step towards safeguarding your digital assets in the unpredictable world of cryptocurrencies.

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Massive List of the Best Crypto Currency Wallets

Alex CryptoGuard July 1, 2023

Why do You Need a Cryptocurrency Wallet?

By now it should be clear to you that cryptocurrencies are a secure way to facilitate online transactions. Based on the rapid rise of Bitcoin throughout 2017, it is apparent that millions of people are also ready to accept cryptocurrencies as a valid medium of exchange, and perhaps even the money of the future.

If you want to begin purchasing Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, the first thing you will need is a cryptocurrency wallet. A cryptocurrency wallet essentially allows you to store, send, and receive digital currencies. Most of the major cryptocurrencies have their own official wallets. For example, Bitcoin offers the Bitcoin Core Wallet (which we will review below). However, there are an increasing number of “third-party” wallets which will also allow you to deal with cryptocurrencies.

A cryptocurrency wallet doesn’t actually store your money. Rather, these wallets store a private key known only to you which confirms your ownership of a public key that is connected to codes that show how much cryptocurrency you own. Compared to traditional money management, your private key is kind of like the PIN number on your debit card while your public key is similar to your actual bank account number. Cryptocurrency wallets have three main jobs: to store your private and public keys, allow you to send and receive cryptocurrency coins, and also acts as a personal register or archive of all your transactions.

One of the most important and revolutionary aspects of cryptocurrencies is that they allow people to be in complete and total control of their money and assets. While we may think that the money we have in our bank account is ours, the fact of the matter is that the money we deposit into a bank is then lent out to other bank clients. Our bank account balance is nothing more than an IOU, hoping that the bank will pay up and that the dollar (or whatever national currency we deal in) will retain its value.

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, on the other hand, allow you to have complete control over your money and your cryptocurrency wallet with your private and public keys gives you that autonomous control over your money. With that having been said, it is important to find the right cryptocurrency wallet that is easy to use and manage. Unfortunately, there are dozens of cryptocurrency wallet software, and more are being created every month.

List of cryptocurrency wallets:

Mycelium

Website: https://wallet.mycelium.com/service.html

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin (possibly expanding to others in the future)

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Cashila to pay bills in the EU Zone, and Glidera integration to buy and sell bitcoins in the US.

Features: Different styles of wallets, including off-line hardware wallets and single address accounts.

Other Benefits: Options Hierarchical Deterministic wallets use a ‘master seed’ to derive all future bitcoin addresses sequentially and need to be backed up once.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Both

Desktop or Mobile App: Mobile App

Control Rating: You Control

Type of Verification: HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Secure

Privacy Rating: Medium

Copay

Website: https://copay.io/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: convenient payment proposal flow, and payouts in over 50 currencies.

Features: Can secure your digital currency with one or multiple signatures; can open a shared wallet with co-workers or family.

Other Benefits: Available for both desktop and mobile devices

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Mobile

Control Rating: You Control

Type of Verification: HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Secure

Privacy Rating: High

Coinbase

Website: https://www.coinbase.com/join

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Can connect your bank account, credit and debit cards to exchange digital currencies into and out of your local currency.

Features: 32 countries supported, and over 10 million customers served.

Other Benefits: Insurance protection policy and quality mobile app.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital Online

Desktop or Mobile App: Mobile App

Control Rating: 3^rd party control

Type of Verification: N/A

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Medium

Privacy Rating: Low

BreadWallet

Website: https://breadapp.com/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin and Ehtereum

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Transfer and pay money anywhere around the world.

Features: Extreme security and privacy.

Other Benefits: No logins or passwords to remember, simply choose and PIN and remember your paper key.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Mobile

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Non-HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Medium

Privacy Rating: High

Airbitz

Website: https://airbitz.co/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Support for over 140 currencies and exchange rates makes it easy to buy and sell around the world.

Features: Discount gift cards to major retailers when purchasing in bitcoin

Other Benefits: Zero-access to user funds or transaction data by Airbitz or other 3rd parties, integrated buy/sell for US residents, and the ability to pay using Bluetooth (BLE) without needing QR codes

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Mobile

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Edge security encryption

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Secure

Privacy Rating: High

Bitcoin Core Client

Website: https://bitcoin.org/en/download

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: N/A

Features: One of the best wallets for increased privacy and security, though this does use large amounts of storage space on your devices.

Other Benefits: A complete user interface with several innovative options.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: N/A

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Secure

Privacy Rating: Medium

GreenBits

Website: https://greenaddress.it/en/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: You can exchange your money using bank transfers (and sometimes debit or credit cards) via an intermediary like a Bitcoin exchange or a broker.

Features: Safely check your balance and transactions from public Wi-Fi, Starbucks and on the go. With the unique watch-only mode you can quickly check your balance or receive funds without full access to your wallet.

Other Benefits: Greewallet uses hierarchical deterministic wallets, which means they new addresses for each incoming transaction which allows you to maintain your privacy at the highest standard.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Mobile

Control Rating: You Control

Type of Verification: HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Secure

Privacy Rating: Medium

Samourai Wallet

Website: https://samouraiwallet.com/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Simply tap on the PayNym to send bitcoin to that contact. The bitcoin address is generated deterministically based on the shared secret connection. Features: Military grade encryption that never reuses addresses.

Other Benefits: Instant currency conversion makes it easier to send Bitcoin. Local currency exchange rates provided by localbitcoins, btc-e, or bitfinex

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Mobile

Control Rating: You Control

Type of Verification: BIP 47 Reusable Payment Codes

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Secure

Privacy Rating: High

Bitpay

Website: https://bitpay.com/wallet

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Buy and sell bitcoin directly to and from your wallet. Load and manage your BitPay Card, accepted at all Visa® merchants and Visa® compatible ATMs worldwide

Features: You can store Bitcoin across multiple wallets, including multisignature types. Multi-device authentication can be set up as well to take wallet security to the next level.

Other Benefits: The BitPay Wallet App offer easy to use interface

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Mobile

Control Rating: You Control

Type of Verification: Non-HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium

Holy Transaction

Website: https://holytransaction.com/

Currencies Supported: Universal wallet supporting Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Peercoin, Dash, Ethereum, Decred, Zcash, Syscoin, Faircoin, Gamecredits, Gridcoin and Blackcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Exchange between all popular currencies with a couple of clicks. Instant send from one currency to another.

Features: Cold storage backup, 2 factor authentication, and regular security audits for maximum security.

Other Benefits: One of the only universal wallets on the market.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital (plus online exchange)

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Secure

Privacy Rating: Medium

Litecoin QT

Website: https://litecoin.org/

Currencies Supported: Litecoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Litecoin is a peer-to-peer Internet currency that enables instant, near-zero cost payments to anyone in the world

Features: Wallet encryption allows you to secure your wallet, so that you can view transactions and your account balance, but are required to enter your password before spending litecoins.

Other Benefits: Miners are currently awarded with 25 new litecoins per block.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Mobile

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium

MyEther Wallet

Website: https://www.myetherwallet.com/

Currencies Supported: Ethereum

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: There is a send transaction box in the interface to input an ether amount. The equivalent value is shown in the bottom left making it instantaneous to see current exchange rates.

Features: Allows users to interact with the Ethereum blockchain directly from a web browser.

Other Benefits: No one at MyEtherWallet will ever hold access to the keys.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Secure

Privacy Rating: High privacy

TREZOR

Website: https://trezor.io/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: $99

Payment Method: Ideally, this device should be used to secure a substantial cache of bitcoins, transferring them to more convenient mobile wallet platforms for smaller transactions.

Features: Hardware bitcoin wallet that offers superior protection for your private key.

Other Benefits: Trezor can be used to sign transactions on ‘unsafe’ computers and is impervious to keyloggers and many other vectors of attack, so even if your host PC is compromised, the attacker has no way of getting your private key.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Hardware wallet

Desktop or Mobile App: No

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: 2 Factor Authentication

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: High Security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

KeepKey

Website: https://www.keepkey.com/

Currencies Supported: bitcoin, ethereum, litecoin, dogecoin, dash, and namecoin

Pricing: $99

Payment Method: Used to secure your pin primarily.

Features: Hardware wallet. KeepKey works with the wallet software on your computer by taking over the management of private key generation, private key storage, and transaction signing.

Other Benefits: KeepKey provides top-notch security and protects against both physical & virtual theft. It can be used on any computer, even one that’s been infected with malware or targeted by hackers. Think of it as a tiny computer that’s built specifically to store Bitcoin private keys.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Hardware wallet

Desktop or Mobile App: None

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Manual approved by Keepkey button

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: High security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

Nano Ledger S

Website: https://www.ledgerwallet.com/products/ledger-nano-s

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoins

Pricing: 58 Euros

Payment Method: Ledger Nano S includes Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum and Ethereum Classic companion apps, and other blockchain-based cryptocurrencies. You can send and receive payments, check your accounts and manage multiple addresses for each currency from the same device.

Features: Secrets like private keys are never exposed: sensitive operations are isolated inside your hardware wallet within a state-of-the-art Secure Element, locked by a PIN code. Transactions can’t get tampered with, they are physically verified on the embedded screen with a simple press of a button.

Other Benefits: Ledger Nano S supports the FIDO® Universal Second Factor authentication standard on Google, Dropbox, GitHub or Dashlane.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Hardware wallet

Desktop or Mobile App: None

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Manual Transaction verification

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: High security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

Jaxx

Website: https://jaxx.io/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dash, Zcash, Augur, Salt, Civic, Qtum, Blockchain Capital, Bancor, and dozens of other blockchain-based assets.

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: You can easily pair your Jaxx wallets across any of the eight platforms Jaxx supports. Use your Masterseed to view your wallet on iOS, Android, Chrome Extension, Windows, Mac and Linux desktops.

Features: The Jaxx wallet gives you complete control of your “private keys”, which you can use with any other cryptocurrency wallet or software.

Other Benefits: Free customer support

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Secure

Privacy Rating: Medium

Electrum

Website: https://electrum.org/#home

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Split the permission to spend your coins between several wallets.

Features: Electrum Wallet verifies all the transactions in your history using SPV.

Other Benefits: You can export your private keys and use them in other Bitcoin clients.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Both

Desktop or Mobile App: Mobile

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Multisignature and SPV

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: High security

Privacy Rating: High

Ledger Blue

Website: https://www.ledgerwallet.com/products/ledger-blue

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin and all bitcoin clones

Pricing: 229 Euros

Payment Method: Hardware cryptocurrency wallet

Features: Touchscreen interface, Bluetooth capability,

Other Benefits: Extensible with several other apps.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Hardware wallet

Desktop or Mobile App: None

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: WYSIWYS (What You See is What You Sign)

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: High security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

Coin Payments

Website: https://www.coinpayments.net/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin and over 90 other alt coins.

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Coin Payments offers plugins for several shopping cart plugins including Woo Commerce.

Features: BitGo Instant software makes coin payments fast and efficient. You can also protect your coins in a vault, requiring a time amount you specify before being able to spend them.

Other Benefits: Allows for double signatures and two factor authentication

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Low security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Exodus

Website: https://www.exodus.io/

Currencies Supported: Aragon, Augur, BAT, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Civic, Dash, Decred, District0x, EOS, Ethereum, ETH Classic, FunFair, Gnosis, Golem, Litecoin, OmiseGo and SALT

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Exodus is designed for people who have never used an exchange and makes it easy to understand the complex details. In seconds, assets are exchanged behind the scenes.

Features: 24/7 help desk to help you resolve any issues you might have.

Other Benefits: The creative, live charts on their platform allow you to track the value of your blockchain asset portfolio, in real time, as market conditions change.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Luno Wallet

Website: https://www.luno.com/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin and Ethereum

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: You can use bank account or credit card to buy your cryptocurrency and deposit into your wallet.

Features: Customer support in several languages, high quality security system, and over a billion dollars in transactions.

Other Benefits: Interactive learning portal to help beginners understand Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Mobile

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Coinomi

Website: https://coinomi.com/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin, several Altcoin and other tokens

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Convert between altcoins instantly from within the app, through their strategic partners, ShapeShift and Changelly.

Features: Enhanced security protocols with no KYC bureaucracy to access your funds, no IP association, no identity linking, no transactions tracking.

Other Benefits: Multilingual translations offered for use across the globe.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: High privacy rating

BTC Wallet

Website: https://wallet.btc.com/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Easy interface to send and receive payments without trust or permission from any third-party.

Features: Allows you to maintain full control over your bitcoin private keys

Other Benefits: Payment options don´t require QR codes or long addresses.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Secure

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Coinjar Wallet

Website: https://www.coinjar.com/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Absolutely no fees for Bitcoin transaction. You can also deposit and withdraw, spend and send with no fees. Link bank accounts and cards around the world and move your money instantly for free.

Features: One of the cheapest and easiest to use wallets on the market. You can also use the CoinJar Swipe Debit Card for purchases and withdrawals in supported countries. Link your local card and bank account for global access to your money through the Bitcoin network.

Other Benefits: You can hedge your bitcoin against major currencies for the peace of mind that you won’t be affected by bitcoin price fluctuations.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Medium security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

XETH Ether Wallet

Website: http://xeth.org/

Currencies Supported: Ethereum

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: XETH allows users to send, receive and store Ethereum.

Features: Stealth payment is a private exchange of funds which protects the privacy of the recipient and prevents observers from knowing the user’s transaction history. On each payment the sender generates a new address using the recipient’s stealth address data. Only the recipient is able to spend those funds. The spending private key can be generated only by the receiver.

Other Benefits: Users have full control of his or her private keys.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Random key generation

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: High security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

Waves Lite Client

Website: https://waveswallet.io/

Currencies Supported: WAVES, Bitcoin, Ethererum, Litecoin and ZEC

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: This wallet has a leasing feature that lets you lease your wave coins to a pool. This allows you to make money through Proof of Stake. The Wallet has built in exchange.

Features: The wallet has a built-in decentralized exchange platform that can be used to exchange assets, cryptocurrencies and fiat tokens.

Other Benefits: Also allows you to incorporate US Dollars and Euros into the wallet.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Mobile

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Block.io Wallet

Website: https://www.block.io/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Litecoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Very fast and efficient payment system. With the use of Green Addresses there’s no wait to use your coins.

Features: Multifactor and two signature authentication systems.

Other Benefits: 99.99% of uptime and an average response time of only 80 ms.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Green Addresses Instant Verification and five signature verification

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: High

Bitgo Wallet

Website: https://www.bitgo.com/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: The company currently offers BitGo Enterprise™, the first multi-sig, multi-user solution for corporations and financial institutions to manage their Bitcoin holdings with enterprise-grade security. The BitGo platform also enables exchanges, marketplaces, and e-commerce players to facilitate secure, multi-party transactions that are secured with BitGo.

Features: Enhanced security as BitGo operates a Bitcoin security-as-a-service platform based on its innovative multi-signature technology. The Bitgo wallet uses multisignature technology to underpin its product offering by sharing keys between themselves and the user.

Other Benefits: Over 1 billion per month in transactions.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium

Ether Li Wallet

Website: https://www.ether.li/

Currencies Supported: Ethereum

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: This Ethereum wallet that allows you to access your funds from anywhere on the web.

Features: Multi-signature security layered with two-factor authentication for outgoing transactions.

Other Benefits: Etherli uses a two of three multi-signature scheme which means that at least two signatures are necessary to validate a transfer of funds for maximum security.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Multi-signature

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium

Doge Chain Wallet

Website: https://my.dogechain.info/#/overview

Currencies Supported: Dogecoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: You can access your coins from all over the world.

Features: All your data is stored encrypted and can only be decrypted with your password.

Other Benefits: The Doge Chain wallet uses encrypted files that are then stored on the cloud for added security and privacy.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: High

Privacy Rating: High

Armory Wallet

Website: https://www.bitcoinarmory.com/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Enterprise consulting available to help you with exchanges, trusts, hedge funds, and other large holders of Bitcoin.

Features: Users are empowered with multiple encrypted Bitcoin wallets and permanent one-time ‘paper backups’.

Other Benefits: Bitcoin cold storage is a system for securely storing Bitcoins on a completely air-gapped offline computer.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital, but cold wallet (offline)

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: High security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

Bitcoin Freewallet

Website: https://freewallet.org/currency/btc

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: You can top up your wallet with almost any coin or send between blockchains passing exchange services for free.

Features: This Bitcoin wallet is already synced meaning you can start using it immediately.

Other Benefits: The majority of all assets are stored in an offline vault to ultimately secure your funds against any malicious activity.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: HD multisignature

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

Bonpay

Website: https://bonpay.com/wallet/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: You can easily receive and transfer funds worldwide. Make purchases and withdraw cash 24/7.

Features: Make purchases with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin etc or withdraw cash instantly at any place, where virtual or plastic cards are accepted.

Other Benefits: Two factor authentication and extremely low fees.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Two Factor Authentication

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

Bit Panda

Website: https://www.bitpanda.com/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin and Ethereum

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Easy to buy Bitcoin with Visa, Mastercard, Soforttransfer, and sell Bitcoin instantly to your bank account, Neteller, and Amazon.de

Features: Organized mainly for use by European clients.

Other Benefits: Use Neteller, Skrill, Sofortüberweisung, Giropay, Sepa, Amazon and other platforms to buy and sell your crytpocurrencies.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: 3^rd party control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: medium privacy

CoinSpace

Website: https://www.coin.space/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin and Litecoin

Pricing: Free.

Payment Method: Search for local users and businesses that accept Bitcoin payments. Spend your Bitcoin or make more. Hyperlocal is a feature that’s in within the wallet, once you sign up.

Features: CoinSpace isn’t a bank so they cannot view your balance or transactions to help you maintain your financial privacy.

Other Benefits: No fees associated with the use of this wallet.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: BIP 32

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: High security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

ZCash Swing GUI Wallet

Website: https://zcashblog.wordpress.com/zcash-gui-wallets/

Currencies Supported: ZCash

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Can use anywhere where Zcash currency is accepted.

Features: The graphical user interface makes this wallet easy to use. It is compatible with Linux operating system.

Other Benefits: Users can create new transparent (T) and private (Z) wallet addresses and send both protected or transparent value.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Medium security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

HW1 Ledger Wallet

Website: https://www.ledgerwallet.com/products/ledger-hw-1

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: $26

Payment Method: You can store safely your bitcoins offline, and make everyday payments online.

Features: This Bitcoin wallet is housed on a small smartcard device, for personal or group use.

Other Benefits: HW1 can be used with multi-signature wallets for communities or enterprises needs in treasury management.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Hardware wallet

Desktop or Mobile App: None

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Multi-signature

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Medium-level security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

Bitlox Wallet

Website: https://www.bitlox.com/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing and Fees: $98

Payment Method: Use like any other hardware wallet.

Features: One of the only standalone secure hardware crypto wallets on the market. Only BitLox has the ability to use the security of the ultimate hardware wallet coupled with the absolute privacy of a “Darknet” based access tool

Other Benefits: With a device recognition PIN, device access PIN, wallet PIN, and even a per transaction PIN possible, you can set up as secure as you desire, without sacrificing usability.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Hardware wallet

Desktop or Mobile App: None

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: BIP 32 and BIP 39 compliant

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: High security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

WageCan Wallet/Card

Website: https://wagecan.com/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: $162

Payment Method: Get your wages with converted blockchain assets and with no bank account needed. You can also benefit from overseas ATM cash withdrawal. The WageCan prepaid card also allows for online shopping. WageCan enables blockchain assets to fiat exchange with convenient spending options through WageCan Card.

Features: Allows users to convert and spend blockchain assets easier.

Other Benefits: Low fees and access to international ATM networks.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: 3^rd party control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Low security

Privacy Rating: Low-level privacy

Bitwala Wallet

Website: https://www.bitwala.com/wallet/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Convert and pay bills, send bank transfers and top up your Bitwala prepaid card all in one place.

Features: 0.5% transaction fee for bank transfers to European Union bank accounts (excluding Great Britain).

Other Benefits: Receive real-time notifications on any incoming or outgoing bitcoin from your wallet. The Bitwala Bitcoin Wallet enables you to pay merchants or shops using bitcoin whenever you’re on the go.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Two-Factor verification and Multi-signature

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Medium-level security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

Lumi Wallet

Website: https://lumiwallet.com/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Easily send and receive bitcoins. Also includes a bitcoin market price graph for investment decisions.

Features: Client side private key storage.

Other Benefits: For each transaction you will see the amount sent or received both in BTC and USD, fees associated with the transaction, th date and time of the transaction, and the confirmation status

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification:HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Counter Wallet

Website: https://counterwallet.io/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin and Counterparty

Pricing and Fees: Free

Payment Method: Easily send and receive Bitcoins

Features: With Counterwallet, your passphrase is literally your wallet, and all of your addresses and keys are generated on-the-fly when you log in.

Other Benefits: There are no wallet files to backup or secure, and using your passphrase you can access your wallet from any trusted machine with a web browser.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Ark wallet

Website: https://ark.io/

Currencies Supported: ARK Coins

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Works with several established coin exchanges where you can buy and sell ARK Coins.

Features: ARK wallets connect to fully synced network peers removing the need to download the full blockchain. With the ARK wallet you are up and running as soon as it’s installed, no more syncing.

Other Benefits: With 8 second block times, this wallet is one of the fastest on the market.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified, but with 8 second block times for almost instantaneous transactions.

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

BCN wallet

Website: https://bytecoin.org/downloads

Currencies Supported: Bytecoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Compatible with several cryptocurrency exchange services.

Features: Both desktop and web wallets available with a mobile wallet on the way.

Other Benefits: Also offers and RPC wallet for ecommerce companies interested in accepting cryptocurrency.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Both (mobile to be released soon).

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Low privacy

Bitconnect wallet

Website: https://bitconnectcoin.co/download

Currencies Supported: Bitconnect Coin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: BitConnect Coin Wallet allows you to receive BitConnect Coin, store and then send it to others.

Features: Available for Linux, Mac and Windows operating systems.

Other Benefits: Anyone holding BitConnect Coin in their wallet will receive interest on their balance in return for helping maintain security of the network.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Bitstamp wallet

Website: https://www.bitstamp.net/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin (BTC), XRP, Litecoin (LTC), Ether (ETH) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH).

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Trade Instantly – all major credit cards are supported.

Features: 98% of digital funds stored offline. Subject to yearly audit by one of the Big Four.

Other Benefits: Transparent volume-based pricing with no hidden fees.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Civic wallet

Website: https://www.civic.com/

Currencies Supported: Several cryptocurrencies, along with other ecommerce solutions.

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Mostly used for security purposes.

Features: The Civic App is built on blockchain wallet software from a leading wallet provider.

Other Benefits: Keys are generated by a third-party wallet, providing a firewall between Civic and users’ keys

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: 3^rd party control

Type of Verification: Public identifier for the authenticating authority, hashed identity data, and a flag indicating the data is still valid

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: High security

Privacy Rating: High level privacy

Coinme wallet

Website: https://www.coinmewallet.com/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: First licensed bitcoin ATM network in America makes it easy to use your bitcoins for payments anywhere.

Features: UpTokens, or UP, represent a reward for Coinme’s ATM customers. Coinme uses 1% of every ATM transaction to purchase UpToken, which is given to users as a 1% cash back reward.

Other Benefits: Fantastic customer service around the clock.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: 3^rd party control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Dash wallet

Website: https://www.dash.org/wallets/

Currencies Supported: Dash

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Instasend and Privatesend options are available with the different types of Dash Wallets.

Features: It’s simple to use and you can choose to send payments anonymously from your wallet using PrivateSend

Other Benefits: Dash Mobile Wallets are available with different features and security, run from your mobile device.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Gemini wallet

Website: https://gemini.com/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin and Ethereum

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Trade bitcoin and ether across three order books with six different order types, including daily two-sided bitcoin auctions.

Features: All U.S. Dollar deposits are held at FDIC-insured banks. The majority of digital assets are stored offline in our proprietary, state-of-the-art Cold Storage system.

Other Benefits: Fee discounts for high volume market traders.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: 3^rd party control

Type of Verification: Two-factor authentication

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

Halo wallet

Website: http://blackhalo.info/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin, Blackcoin and US Dollars

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Halo allows for unbreakable wires and western unions! There are unlimited funding options. Everything is handled peer to peer. Theft is impossible thanks to the contracts. No escrow is needed since the funds are always safe in your hands.

Features: Every account uses two keys and your account is unhackable especially if two locations are used.

Other Benefits: Halo has given people the option to pay through email. Send to anyone even if they don’t have crypto currency.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Multi-signature and two-factor authentication

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: High security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Iota wallet

Website: https://iotawallet.info/

Currencies Supported: Iota

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Free to use with no fees involved.

Features: Unique mobile app

Other Benefits: Product still in development with new improvements coming.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Low security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Metal wallet

Website: https://www.metalpay.com/

Currencies Supported: METAL (MTL)

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Transfer money instantly around the globe with nothing more than a phone number. Earn rewards every time you spend or make a purchase. Also, connects to your bank accounts.

Features: Earn up to 5% MTL on every purchase

Other Benefits: Lightning clearance time on every transaction.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digitlal

Desktop or Mobile App: Both

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

MyMonero wallet

Website: https://mymonero.com/#/

Currencies Supported: Monero

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Can buy and sell Monero around the world.

Features: Monero uses ring signatures, ring confidential transactions, and stealth addresses to obfuscate the origins, amounts, and destinations of all transactions

Other Benefits: Monero is a decentralized cryptocurrency, meaning it is secure digital cash operated by a network of users.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: 3^rd party control

Type of Verification: Not HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Low security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Musicoin wallet

Website: https://musicoin.org/

Currencies Supported: Musicoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Musicoin is designed to support the creation, distribution and consumption of music in a cycle. The system uses a special algorithm to generate a currency called Musicoin ($MUSIC). With a unique currency and a solid peer-2-peer (P2P) contract system, large scale transactions around music becomes possible.

Features: The annual growth in supply of coins has been carefully set to follow the anticipated rate of growth in music distribution and consumption

Other Benefits: Musicoin is listed on Cryptopia Cryptocurrency Exchange and Bittrex, where it can be exchanged for other cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, and subsequently converted into fiat money.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: 3^rd party control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privac

Omisego wallet

Website: https://omisego.network/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others.

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Several methods for payments and transfers with possibility to accumulate reward points.

Features: OmiseGO provides integration and post-integration support to get you to market faster and to help you stay ahead.

Other Benefits: The OmiseGO network is intrinsically agnostic between fiat and decentralized money: as far as adoption and usage go, the system is constructed so that the best currencies will win.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop for now

Control Rating: 3^rd party control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Omni wallet

Website: https://www.omniwallet.org/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin, Omni and Test Omni

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Buy and sell different cryptocurrencies.

Features: No software to download or install, no blockchain to synchronize and verify – it just works, lightning fast

Other Benefits: Product still in development

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: 3^rd party control

Type of Verification: HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Paxful wallet

Website: https://paxful.com/bitcoin-wallet

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Paxful Wallet provides over 300 different payment options for purchasing bitcoins from gift cards to credit cards.

Features: Paxful is an unique bitcoin marketplace where you buy bitcoins from our trusted sellers (vendors). We have over 1,200 trusted vendors on Paxful and it usually takes less than 5 minutes to receive your bitcoins!

Other Benefits: They only charge bitcoin’s blockchain network miner fee when you move your bitcoins out from your Paxful wallet.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Two factor authentication

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Steem wallet

Website: https://freewallet.org/currency/steem

Currencies Supported: Steem tokens (STM).

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Can trade, buy and sell Steem tokens anywhere they are used and accepted.

Features: 90% of users don’t backup their private keys or remember their mnemonic phrases. So we have created the app that is secure by design.

Other Benefits: They have synced everything. Your wallet is always ready to use.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: 3^rd Both

Control Rating: 3^rd party control

Type of Verification: Not HD

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Low level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Storj wallet

Website: https://storj.io/

Currencies Supported: Storj Tokens

Pricing: $0.015 per GB per month.

Payment Method:

Features: Storj (pronounced: storage) aims to become a cloud storage platform that can’t be censored or monitored, or have downtime. It is the first decentralized, end-to-end encrypted cloud storage that uses blockchain technology and cryptography to secure your files.

Other Benefits: Storj aims to provide the security, privacy, and transparency in cloud storage and are building an open-source cloud platform that aims to fundamentally change the way people and devices own data.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: You control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

Syscoin wallet

Website: http://syscoin.org/

Currencies Supported: Syscoin

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: The Syscoin Blockmarket Wallet offers all the features you need to send and receive Syscoin, keep your transaction logs in order, buy and sell items, resell others items, send encrypted messages to others and more.

Features: Comes with a fully decentralized marketplace, like Ebay or Amazon without corporate greed involved.

Other Benefits: No downtime or service outages.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: 3^rd party control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

Ubiq wallet

Website: https://ubiqsmart.com/

Currencies Supported: Ubiq (UBQ)

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: Uses four trusted exchange services.

Features: Desktop, hardware, and browser based wallets available.

Other Benefits: Ubiq provides a full node with all of the tools to write and deploy your own smart contracts and tokens.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Both

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: 3^rd party control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: High security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Wax wallet

Website: https://wax.io/

Currencies Supported: WAX Tokens.

Pricing: Free

Payment Method: WAX Tokens are utility tokens that allow virtual goods – and not just for use in video games – to easily be tokenized and exchanged for cryptocurrency.

Features: Designed for online videogame players who need access to a specialized cryptocurrency. However, this cryptocurrency wallet also will allow for millions of traders to create their own virtual stores on one decentralized platform, providing instant payments, security, and trust services that will bring millions of new participants into a growing ecosystem.

Other Benefits: The WAX platform allows the global pool of buyers and sellers to access a global supply of virtual goods while eliminating financial risks encountered in the prevailing consignment-based marketplace model.

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Desktop

Control Rating: 3^rd party control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: Mid-level security

Privacy Rating: Medium privacy

Cheetah Safe Wallet

Website: https://www.cmcmbc.com/en-us/safe-wallet/

Currencies Supported: Bitcoin(BTC) & Ether(ETH) & ERC20 Token

Pricing: Free

Payment Method:

Features: SafeWallet from Cheetah mobile is currently only available for android users. Due to the ban on crypto currencies in China, this is only available for users outside mainland China. It allows users to easily create and manage multiple wallets, while offering several ways to import wallets from other locations

Other Benefits: A specially optimized transaction fee calculation method to reduce transaction costs and transaction delays

Hard Wallet or Digital Wallet or Both: Digital

Desktop or Mobile App: Mobile App

Control Rating: You Control

Type of Verification: Not specified

Vulnerable or Secure Environment: High-level security

Privacy Rating: High privacy

Rippex Wallet

Website: rippex.net

Rippex was removed from this list because they announced they will be closing the gateway:

http://blog.rippex.net/br/2018/02/gateway-closure/

If you have been following the news at all lately, you have probably heard a lot about the rapid rise of Bitcoin which has seemingly doubling its value on a monthly basis. Bitcoin, one of the most famous and well-recognized cryptocurrencies, has risen from about $1,000 dollars per one bitcoin to over $7,825 per bitcoin today. While some of this rapid rise in value is certainly due to short term traders on Wall Street looking to make a quick profit, thousands of people around the world, especially in developing countries, are turning to cryptocurrencies as a solid investment option that might very well protect them from the volatility of national currencies prone to massive inflation.

Back in 2008, the anonymous and unknown person (or group) who goes by the name of Satoshi Nakamoto created Bitcoin, the first and still most important cryptocurrency. In essence, Bitcoin was a decentralized digital cash system that could be used for online transactions. For people who don’t have a profound understanding of how the internet works, cryptocurrencies are kind of like those peer to peer file sharing programs where many of us find our music and e-books online.

With this decentralized network, every user of Bitcoin (or other cryptocurrencies) has access to the list of all transactions. This open access allows for constant revision to make sure that no one is “cheating” the system by trying to spend the same money twice. What is most revolutionary about cryptocurrencies, is that the virtual money is safely used without the need for a Central Banking System run by a government or private entity.

Every transaction using cryptocurrencies is first sent to a peer-to-peer network which is then validated, and made into a block of data for the ledger or record that is available to everyone. The block of data related to the cryptocurrency transaction is added to a blockchain which is permanent and unable to be altered, thus making transactions safe and protected by the validation of the entire community.

If this quick explanation confused you, suffice it to say that cryptocurrencies are nothing more than an electronic means of exchange which are created and stored on a blockchain whose purpose is to control the creation of cryptocurrencies and to validate and verify the transfer of funds between people in the network.

One common question that often comes up related to cryptocurrencies is if the validation and confirmation process is similar to the online dictionary Wikipedia. While there are similarities in how these peer-to-peer networks work, cryptocurrencies employ the work of “miners” who are involved in confirming each and every transaction by checking to make sure that everything ads up and that no one is trying to cheat the system. Miners essentially review each and every transaction and then confirm them as legitimate. For their “service” they receive a token or payment in some sort of cryptocurrency.

Why do You Need a Cryptocurrency Wallet?

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Investing in Bitcoin in 2023: What You Need To Know

Alex CryptoGuard June 8, 2023

As of May 2023, the price of a single Bitcoin is around $30,000 mark. Millions of people now regret not buying Bitcoin years ago. You’re probably one of them. Did you miss the boat? Is it too late to start investing in cryptocurrencies. The price has been fluctuating over the past few months but the general consensus is bullish.

The bad news is you missed out on your chance to become an easy millionaire through Bitcoin. But the good news is that it is not too late to begin investing in cryptocurrencies. In this guide, we will show you how to invest in cryptocurrency, namely Bitcoin, and how to profit from it.

Why Invest in Cryptocurrencies?

Hype and fast money is what is drawing a lot of cryptocurrency investment today. This is not a good investment strategy at all, and is like gambling. The early adopters of Bitcoin (and those who have thus profited the most from its meteoric rise in price) were true believers. They believed that Bitcoin would become the first hard world currency that could not be manipulated by governments or central banks. In their ideal future, Bitcoin would eventually replace fiat currencies such as the dollar or the yuan.

Because of these beliefs, these early adopters were like long term investors. They did not use Bitcoin with the intent of a quick exit or fast profit. Hence, they did not worry about the inherent volatility in its value. If you wish to invest in cryptocurrencies, you should do your best to follow their mindset.

The Cryptocurrency Trading Analogy – Volatile Commodities

Cryptocurrencies may be currencies, but their trading patterns are more like volatile commodities. The central bank can and does print more fiat money to support its monetary policies (hence the continuously increasing money supply). But there is a hard limit on the number of cryptocurrency coins in circulation

For instance, the hard limit on Bitcoin is 21 million coins. How many bitcoins are left, you wonder? Well, according to Coinmarketcap, at present, there are 16.7 million Bitcoins in circulation. This means that there is only 4.3 million Bitcoins left to be mined.

Hence, because of the limited supply, volatility is naturally higher compared to fiat currencies. Volatility is further increased because the total value of cryptocurrencies is still relatively small. Coinmarketcap shows that the total value of all cryptocurrencies (over 1,300 of them) is $382.5 billion. That’s less than the market cap of Apple, Amazon, or even JP Morgan Chase.

The procedures for investing in cryptocurrencies can seem daunting to a newbie. The jargon itself is unfamiliar. But it is much simpler than you might think. Here, we have broken the process down to three basic steps.

Step 1: Choose a Cryptocurrency and its Relevant Exchange

There are over 1,300 cryptocurrencies in existence today. You will probably choose to invest in the more popular cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ether, and Litecoin. Most of the major exchanges will offer these top cryptocurrencies. However, you will have to seek out specific exchanges for the more obscure ones.

Coinmarketcap currently lists 174 exchanges. The list shows you the size of each exchange (defined as traded volume, currently Bithumb is in first place), the currency pairs (the fiat currency you can use to buy a certain cryptocurrency), and the price.

What set the exchanges apart are usually user interfaces and fees. Depending on where you live, geographical restrictions may also come into play. Keep in mind that once you’ve chosen your exchange, you will need to verify your account. There are no anonymous sign ups here; you will be expected to provide proper identification documents. Fraud is a huge concern for exchanges since blockchain transactions cannot be cancelled or refunded. Further, remember that although the cryptocurrency is decentralized, the fiat currency you use to buy it is not.

Step 2: Decide How You’re Going to Store Your Cryptocurrency

Security is a huge issue in the cryptocurrency community. No doubt you’ve read about the many hacks that have occurred in the preceding years, with hundreds of millions of dollars in value stolen. Hence, it is important that you decide how you intend to store your cryptocurrency.

Before we proceed, you should understand that all transactions on the blockchain are public, viewable in the form of public keys. Private keys show ownership of a linked public key, and these private keys are what cryptocurrency wallets store. If someone gets access to your private key, they will be able to access your cryptocurrency.

There are two types of storage options: hot and cold. Depending on your own situation, you can use either option or a combination of both.

Hot Storage is when you keep your cryptocurrency on a wallet that is connected to the Internet. If you intend to use and access your cryptocurrencies often, then you need a hot wallet. This can range from wallets offered by your exchange to both desktop and mobile clients. While more convenient, hot storage leaves you more vulnerable to hacking. Another benefit of hot wallets is that they are often free. Coinbase and Jaxx are two free and popular hot wallets.

Cold Storage is when you store your cryptocurrency on a non-internet connected device. These are also known as hardware wallets and are designed for the sole purpose of keeping your private keys safe. Unless the hardware wallet itself (which can be further protected by a PIN code) gets stolen, your cryptocurrencies are safe. The drawback is that hardware wallets are not free (averaging around $100), and are not the most convenient option for daily use.

Think of them like your own steel safe. If you have a significant amount of cryptocurrencies, or are more of a ‘cryptocurrency investor’ as opposed to a ‘cryptocurrency user’, we strongly recommend investing in one. Two popular hardware wallets are the Nano Ledger S and Trezor.

Step 3: Begin Buying / Selling Cryptocurrencies

That’s it, you’re pretty much all set up! Just remember that every blockchain transaction from your wallet will cost you a nominal transaction fee. If you wish to transfer your cryptocurrency out of a particular exchange, just enter your wallet’s public key into their website.

How to Make Money from Bitcoin in 2018?

To close off this mini-guide, we have to address this question. Despite what the cryptocurrency idealists say, the truth is that many people are still looking at cryptocurrency, and in particular, Bitcoin, as a pure profit enterprise. Well, as of 2018, here are the three primary strategies for making money with Bitcoin explained.

Strategy 1: Buy and Hold

Self-explanatory. With how the price of Bitcoin has only trended upwards last year, this might be the best strategy at the moment. Minimal time and effort required.

Strategy 2: Trading

A more complex strategy that requires a significant investment of both time and effort. Not recommended for cryptocurrency beginners. If you wish to start trading cryptocurrencies, we recommend starting with crypto/fiat currency pairs. Trading crypto/crypto pairs is far more complex and risky. Finally, do not fall into the ‘margin trading’ trap unless you absolutely know what you are doing; this is a good way to lose all your money in an instant.

Strategy 3: Mining

Before the meteoric rise in the price of Bitcoin, mining was the most common way to make money from Bitcoin. But in 2018, competition is intense. Individual miners face stiff competition from huge mining farms run by foreign competitors. While you can still make money from Bitcoin mining as an individual, you have to be realistic. Try this online tool to get an estimate of your mining profit based on your computer’s hashing power. Don’t forget to take your electricity costs into account.

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Why Are Crypto Ads Being Banned?

Alex CryptoGuard April 21, 2023

In recent months, the cryptocurrency market has been affected by the decision of several large online platforms to ban all types of ads that contain different types of crypto related content. Advertising and publicity are essential to almost every type of company and business, and this decision is certainly affecting the cryptocurrency market from continuing to grow.

Earlier this month, Bitcoin, the most popular and well-known cryptocurrency fell 9% to below $8,000 dollars, and many experts attributed this most recent fall in value to the decision by Google and other influential online platforms to ban all types of cryptocurrency advertising.

What Digital Ad Platforms Banned Have Banned Crypto Ads

One of the first major online companies to ban crypto ads was Facebook. At the end of January of this year, the company went public with the decision to ban all sorts of crypto ads from their online platforms. About a month later in early March, the tech giant Google repeated this policy as they also created policies banning crypto ads, including initial coin offerings (ICOs), wallets, trading advice, market predictions, and more. Google will not begin to actively ban crypto ads until June of this year, though the policies are already in place.

Earlier this week, Twitter followed the steps of their main competitors by also blocking all crypto ads from showing up on Twitter feeds across the world. A spokesperson for Twitter confirmed yesterday that:

“we are committed to ensuring the safety of the Twitter community. As such, we have added a new policy for Twitter Ads relating to cryptocurrency. Under this new policy, the advertisement of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and token sales will be prohibited globally. We will continue to iterate and improve upon this policy as the industry evolves.”

Snapchat is yet another well-known online platform that is banning crypto ads as well.

Why Are the Major Tech Companies Banning Crypto Ads?

The parent company of Google, Alphabet, makes enormous amount of money from online advertising, and they are obviously concerned about protecting the image of safety and security on their online platforms.

Google recently released a “trust and safety” report on the advertising spaces they offer, and the decision to ban crypto ads might very well stem from a company concern about the perceived safety of investing in cryptocurrency due to the volatility of the market and the high number of unregulated ICOs popping up around the internet.

Google, along with Facebook and Twitter, actively monitor the ads that are placed on their online platforms as a way to supposedly protect users from fraud, scams, and other schemes that often fill the internet. While cryptocurrencies have proven to be a legitimate investment opportunity for millions of people, the fact that much of the market is unregulated by government institutions has been one of the leading motivations for Google, Facebook, and Twitter to ban any and all crypto ads on their online platforms.

What are the Potential Effects of This Ban?

In the short term, the news of the ban of crypto ads will most likely negatively affect the crypto market. The media tends to dramatize any new announcement, and given the popularity of cryptocurrencies in the news during the past months, the media attention to these bans should cause a dip in the market value of many types of cryptocurrencies. The current dip in Bitcoin´s value certainly seems to confirm this short-term effect.

A longer-term negative effect that is possible is that several legitimate ICO offerings might find it difficult to get the publicity they need and to find funding for their projects. Nonetheless, one report shows that in 2018, over three billion dollars have already been raised for new ICOs. Despite the Facebook, Twitter, and Google banks, ICO offerings should continue to attract a wide network of investors and enthusiasts.

Lastly, though the ad bans will certainly make it more difficult for cryptocurrencies to gather large scale followings on the main social media channels, it should also strengthen new ways to get the word out related to ICOs and other cryptocurrency ads. Bounty programs or bounty campaigns are one such as way that many crypto businesses are spreading the word about what they offer.

Where Can You Still Advertise for Cryptocurrencies?

For the moment, there are still several online platforms and websites that allow cryptocurrency ads. Microsoft, which owns the major search engine “Bing” still allows for cryptocurrency ads. Instagram is another major social media company that also has not followed the precedent set by Facebook, Twitter and Google.

Snap is another website that allows cryptocurrency ads, though their official policy bans ads related to initial coin offerings (ICOs). Lastly, AOL and Yahoo, which are owned by Oath (Verizon´s umbrella company), states that they only allow ads and ICOs for certain companies.

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Top 5 Wallets for Altcoins (How to Keep Your Coins Safe)

Alex CryptoGuard March 12, 2023

If you haven’t heard of bitcoin you must have been living under a rock (no offence to those who actually live under rocks). Since its abrupt rise in value during the past year or so, Bitcoin has certainly become a household word for millions of people. What few people realize, however, is that there are hundreds of different types of cryptocurrencies available.

Altcoins, which simply refers to “Bitcoin alternatives”, are wide and varied and represent a unique investment alternative for people interested in the crypto market. At the time of writing this article, Coin Market Cap listed over 900 different cryptocurrencies. This means that there are numerous opportunities to invest in Altcoins, many of which are directed towards certain ends and purposes that attract certain types of investors.

While researching the different Altcoins available and understanding how they work is an essential task for any potential investor, you also need to find an Alt coin wallet that will safely and securely keep your cryptocurrency protected and available to you. Below, we take an in depth look at the best wallet for altcoins currently available online.

Top 5 Wallets for Altcoins in 2023

While there are literally hundreds of different cryptocurrency wallets on the internet, the five Altcoin wallets reviewed below are quality software programs that allow you to send, receive, and safely store a wide variety of different Altcoins.

Cryptonator: While the name of this wallet might remind you of an Arnold Schwarzenegger film, it is actually one of the best wallets for Altcoins. It has a built in exchange app for a wide variety of cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Dogecoin. One of the downsides of this wallet is that your private key is not necessarily yours, but rather is safeguarded by the company. However, they store over 90% of their data on offline servers, thus making it generally safe to keep your altcoins stored with them. If you are looking for an easy way to invest in Altcoins and exchange different coins based on their fluctuating market value, this wallet is an easy and simple way to get involved in the world of cryptocurrency trading.

Komodo Wallets: This company recently acquired Agama, so many people might recognize the Agama namesake. Komodo wallets offer support for 12 different cryptocurrencies and works well with several different types of operating systems including Mac, Windows, and even Linux. While they do offer both desktop and paper wallets, Komodo is still working on a mobile app for their wallet. Furthermore, this best alt coin wallet is unique in that you can run this wallet in several different modes. You can either download the blockchain for every different Altcoin that you plan to purchase, or you can run the program in basilisk mode. While this might make the wallet run a little slower, you do not have to worry about having to download heavy blockchain apps for each and every coin you have. This is a major benefit for investors looking to purchase small amounts of different types of alt coins.

Exodus: If you are looking for an easy to use desktop wallet for your Altcoins that makes it easy to understand how to send, receive, and store your cryptocurrencies, Exodus wallet might be the best option for you. This altcoin wallet gives you complete control over your private keys and also encrypts them for you, thus offering maximum security and privacy. Furthermore, this wallet allows you to easily exchange your cryptocurrency with one easy click, thus switching between the eight altcoins that they currently support. If you are looking to invest in some of the more obscure Alt coins, this wallet isn’t for you as they only support coins that are in the top 20 market cap for cryptocurrencies.

Jaxx: Jaxx is considered by many cryptocurrency experts to be the best wallet for altcoins, especially for Ethereum and other popular alternatives to Bitcoin. Furthermore, this wallet has a unique built in exchange platform as well as a mobile and desktop app. The cold storage program that they offer keeps your coins protected and off-line, though it does not include encryption services. Furthermore, Jaxx is reportedly in the process of adding platforms for a wide variety of new alt coins. This alt coin wallet could very well become one of the best for people looking to bring together different cryptocurrencies into one, easy to manage investment platform.

Coinomi: Lastly, we come to Coinomi. This widely used cryptocurrency wallet supports several different types of altcoins. While many Altcoin wallets only support 10 to 12 Altcoins, Coinomi supports upwards of 64 different Altcoins. Furthermore, they have a built in exchange platform that makes it extremely easy to buy and sell your different types of Altcoins. The privacy setting associated with this alt coin wallet is also second to none, as Coinomi is an open source software and is committed to storing your private keys locally while also encrypting these keys for maximum privacy.

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Bitcoin IRA

Alex CryptoGuard February 8, 2023

Cryptocurrencies have been falling for the past couple of weeks but I am still bullish on long term cryptocurrency ira investing.

Saving for retirement is a major financial goal. The vehicle that the majority of (US) investors use is the Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”). IRAs provide a host of tax benefits. Most investors use them to invest in ‘traditional’ investments such as stocks, bonds, and mutual/index funds.

But in recent years, self-directed IRAs have become more popular. According to global consulting firm McKinsey:

“Global alternative investments across retail and institutional segments doubled in AUM between 2005 and 2011, to $6.5 trillion”.

This is because self-directed IRAs allow you to invest in a far greater range of investments than what you would get in a traditional IRA.

What Is a Self-Directed IRA?

As the name implies, it is simply an IRA where the owner of the account handles all investment decisions made through said account. This freedom allows the account owner, you, to invest in alternative investments such as real estate, precious metals, collectibles, and yes, even cryptocurrencies.

You have plenty of options when choosing a self-directed IRA custodian. However, it would also depend on which alternative asset class you wish to invest in. Once you’ve selected a reputable and relevant custodian, you can then fund your self-directed IRA as per the standard IRA rules (up to $5,500 per year if you’re under 50 and $6,500 per year if you’re over 50). You can also choose to roll over funds from other retirement plans, such as your regular IRAs or 401(k) into your self-directed IRA.

The withdrawal age for a self-directed IRA remains at 59.5, with a 10% early withdrawal penalty. Like the standard IRA, self-directed IRAs can also be traditional (tax deductible in contribution year, taxable upon withdrawal) and Roth self-directed IRAs (taxed on contribution, tax-free on withdrawal).

When deciding between the two you should consider your current and expected income levels, as well as years to retirement. A rule of thumb is that if you are closer to retirement age and with a high income tax bracket, the traditional IRA is a better choice, and vice versa. Here’s a handy comparison table.

What Are The Pros and Cons of Investing In a Crytpocurrency IRA?

A cryptocurrency IRA is a self-directed IRA that is being used to invest in cryptocurrencies. Some people refer to them by the type of cryptocurrency that the IRA holds e.g. Bitcoin IRAs or Ethereum IRAs. For all intents and purposes, they are exactly the same thing.

Before 2014, the IRS’ stance on cryptocurrency holdings and taxations was still unclear. Fortunately in 2014 they issued a notice stating that virtual currency is to be treated as property for federal tax purposes. This clarified things and opened up the way for cryptocurrency IRAs.

But just because you can use your IRA to invest in cryptocurrencies, should you? Let’s consider the main pros and cons.

Pros of Crypto IRA Investing

Portfolio Diversification Away From Fiat Currencies – Most of the currencies in the world used to be backed by gold. Not anymore. Central banks continuously print more money to accommodate their monetary policies, and intelligent investors are rightfully wary. Unlike fiat currencies, each specific cryptocurrency is only in limited supply. For instance, Bitcoin has a hard limit of 21 million coins (of which less than 16.5 million have been mined so far).

Explosive Growth Potential – This one seems obvious. To say that Bitcoin has exploded in value would be an understatement. As of Dec 2017, it is trading at about $15,000, an appreciation of more than 15 times since the beginning of the year! Another cryptocurrency, Ethereum has also seen a price increase of more than 50 times. Putting a small percentage of your retirement portfolio into cryptocurrencies could result in outsized gains. There are no guarantees, but this is a risk that many consider well worth taking.

Cons of Crypto IRA Investing

Long Time Horizon – There is little doubt that cryptocurrencies are here to stay. But the question is, which ones? There are currently over 1,300 cryptocurrencies in existence. Over the long term, it is hard to guess which ones will become the ‘staples’. Bitcoin may have started it all, but it might not be the one that survives. This long term horizon is particularly an issue since we are talking about using a self-directed IRA, in which you cannot make withdrawals without penalty until age 59.5. The farther away you are from retirement age, the higher the risk.

High Volatility – Cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile. This is due to their limited supply coupled with the fact with that their total value remains relatively small still (a $416 billion total market cap, which is less than Apple). However you will be somewhat protected against this volatility if you are investing in them via an IRA due to withdrawal rules. Even so it can be nerve wracking to watch the value of your investments move so much. If you are not emotionally prepared, don’t do it.

More Security Issues – Security issues surrounding cryptocurrencies have been well highlighted. Total value lost from the various hacks is more than half a billion dollars. However, most exchanges have greatly improved their security. Further, options such has hardware wallets are a very safe way to store your cryptocurrencies.

Should You Consider Ethereum For your IRA?

Ethereum is the second most popular cryptocurrency after Bitcoin. While it remains far cheaper than Bitcoin, at $449 as of Dec 2017, that is still a gain of more than 50x since January! Nevertheless its cheaper price means that many investors are looking at it as one of the most viable Bitcoin alternatives. There is also one important difference between the two that may make an Ethereum IRA more suitable for you.

Ethereum: More than a Virtual Currency

Ethereum is also a blockchain platform that facilitates peer-to-peer contracts and applications. These ‘smart contracts’ are stored on the decentralized blockchain, which makes verification easy and fraud difficult. Decentralized is the key word, with all smart contracts replicated on every computer in the network. A common analogy in the crypto-community is ‘Bitcoin is digital gold while Ethereum is digital oil’. You can even create your own cryptocurrency on the Ethereum network (which many have).

This is the main feature that differentiates Ethereum from the other cryptocurrencies. It is also the one that appears to have the most long term applications. Because of this, long term investors i.e. those investing for retirement, may benefit more from an Ethereum IRA over a Bitcoin IRA. For more on Ethereum vs. Bitcoin, check out this article.

Setting up a Cryptocurrency IRA

Investing in cryptocurrency itself can seem daunting to a newbie. So investing in cryptocurrencies via an IRA may seem even harder. Here’s an easy way and a more complex one.

Complex Version – Do It Yourself

In the DIY version, you have to set up an LLC (for IRS compliance purposes). Your IRA custodian will hold this LLC as its asset. Although not technically the owner, you are the manager and thus choose how to invest the funds. From there, you can set up an account on the cryptocurrency exchange of your choice. But make sure that the account is set up under the LLC’s name.

Finding a cryptocurrency exchange that allows you to register an account under an LLC can be difficult. Further, if you decide to hold the cryptocurrency in a hardware wallet (recommended for larger amounts), make sure that the LLC owns the wallet. You can do this by using a debit card linked to the IRA’s checking account to purchase said wallet.

Simple Version – Leave It to the Experts

Does the above sound too complicated for you? If so, you can consult IRA custodians that specialize in cryptocurrency IRAs. These companies will guide you through the entire process with minimal hassle. Two popular companies offering cryptocurrencies today are Bitcoin IRA and Regal Wallet.